1 10 2 https://archive.englewoodmakeshistory.org/files/original/883b32344e9d54822ca4906d229778f1.jpg 4cdd3e2aee0881375f1410bd888b9d71 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Organizations and Institutions Places A fixed location. Metadata for a place provides descriptive information that is the basis of discovery of the creation, purpose, and agents associated with a place. Type of Place Places of Worship Date Started 1928 Source of File Attached "Temple Emanu-El Englewood." Google Maps. Type of Institution Religious Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Temple Emanu-El Subject The topic of the resource Religion, Judaism Description An account of the resource Temple Emanu-El of Englewood was founded in 1927 as a Conservative Jewish congregation at a moment when Englewood’s Jewish population was expanding and seeking a religious institution that balanced tradition with modern communal life. The idea for the Temple was initiated by Isaac Goldberg, who helped organize a small group of families committed to establishing a non-Orthodox synagogue rooted in worship, education, and civic engagement. The congregation’s earliest services were held in private homes, most notably at the East Palisade Terrace residence of Ferdinand Vorsanger, who became the Temple’s first president and one of its most enduring lay leaders. Under his guidance, the fledgling institution formalized its structure, adopted the name Temple Emanu-El, and incorporated with a charter group that included Louis Abesson, Julius Bernstein, Joseph Cohen, Nathan DeScherer, William Greenberg, Herman Kesser, Meyer Schneider, and Vorsanger himself as founding fathers. As the congregation grew, it moved through a series of temporary quarters that reflected both necessity and ambition. Services were first held in rented space in the Plaza Building on Van Brunt Street, then in the Busch Building on West Palisade Avenue. By 1929, the Temple was using the Plaza Theater for worship, signaling both increased attendance and the congregation’s visible presence in Englewood’s public life. Rabbinic leadership during the Temple’s early decades helped shape its religious identity. Rabbi Max Maccoby served as the first spiritual leader, followed by Rabbi Benjamin Schultz (1928–1930), during whose tenure a Sisterhood was organized, a Sunday School was established, and a cemetery was purchased at Rochelle Park. Rabbi Zvi Anderson served from 1930 to 1934, succeeded by Rabbi Ephraim Fischoff, under whom fundraising efforts intensified to secure a permanent home. A major turning point came in June 1935, when the Temple purchased property at 173 Tenafly Road, establishing its first long-term headquarters. Shortly thereafter, Henry Mandle donated adjacent property at 153 Tenafly Road, enabling future expansion. During this period, Ferdinand Vorsanger returned to the presidency, followed by Dr. Louis E. Greenwald, as the Temple embarked on a phase of sustained institutional growth. By the late 1930s and 1940s, Temple Emanu-El had evolved into a major center of Jewish religious and cultural life in Bergen County. Under the leadership of Rabbi Israel Margolies, who arrived in 1937, the Temple broadened its educational programming, expanded cultural activities, and strengthened its High Holy Day observances. By its twenty-second year, the congregation was recognized as a well-established worship center with a strong lay leadership structure, active Brotherhood and Sisterhood organizations, and a growing religious school. The Temple’s national profile expanded significantly in the postwar years under Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, who began leading the congregation in the 1950s. During his tenure, Temple Emanu-El became a member of the United Synagogue, while Hertzberg himself emerged as a leading public intellectual—serving as President of the American Jewish Congress and Vice President of the World Jewish Congress—bringing national prominence to the Englewood congregation. Temple Emanu-El was also distinguished by its musical and educational leadership. Cantor Kurt Silbermann, a member of the congregation, served as President of the Cantors Assembly. In the 1980s, Miriam Weidenfeld directed the Temple’s Religious School, and in 1989 Cantor Israel Singer became Hazzan, continuing a strong cantorial tradition. In the late 20th century, the Temple entered a new era under Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Haber, who served from 1996 to 2007, followed by David Seth Kirshner. Reflecting demographic shifts within the Jewish community, Temple Emanu-El relocated in 2001 from its historic Englewood site to Closter. From its beginnings in living rooms and rented halls to its role as a major religious and cultural institution, Temple Emanu-El’s history reflects the evolution of Englewood itself—shaped by visionary leadership, civic engagement, and a lasting commitment to Jewish communal life. Citation: Partly written by OpenAI. (2026, January, 20). ChatGPT (GPT-5.2.) [Large Language Model] https://chat.openai.com/chat. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived “<a href="https://templeemanu-el.com/about-us/history/">History.</a>” Temple Emanu-El. "Temple Takes Title to Land." The Record, 26 Jan. 1943, p.8. "History of Temple is Traced." The Record, May 20, 1948. "Englewood Jewish Temple Commencing its 22nd Year." The Record, September 19, 1949. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Colman, David Ludder, Rachelle Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available newspaper.com Religion https://archive.englewoodmakeshistory.org/files/original/d8aea2ea1475a4673a54f467bb9bde25.jpg ed0fd188f045aca8b308b48a86ba5608 https://archive.englewoodmakeshistory.org/files/original/9fe83cb2fa0130e6d5b4cb4c4007dc2b.jpg 2ebf57da41635fddb8acbe65a6c13d81 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Actors Places A fixed location. Metadata for a place provides descriptive information that is the basis of discovery of the creation, purpose, and agents associated with a place. Type of Place Residential Date Started 1902-05-08 Source of File Attached “<a href="https://actorsfundhome.org/history">History</a>.” Actors Fund Home. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Actors Fund Home Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Joseph, Christina. "Actors' Fund Home asks benefactress to take bow." The Record, 24 Apr. 2003, p. L-3. “<a href="https://actorsfundhome.org/history">History</a>.” Actors Fund Home. Description An account of the resource For nearly a century, the <a href="https://actorsfundhome.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Actors Fund Home</a> has been one of Englewood's most distinctive institutions, serving as a refuge and community for generations of performers and entertainment professionals. Operated by the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), the organization was founded in 1882 to provide assistance and support to actors and other members of the performing arts community during times of hardship. The Fund opened its first retirement home on Staten Island in 1902. In 1928, it relocated the facility to Englewood, purchasing the former estate of famed financier <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetty_Green" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hetty Green</a>. Situated on a wooded hilltop property, the home quickly became a nationally recognized residence for retired entertainers. Newspaper accounts from the 1930s and 1940s described it as a vibrant community where aging actors, musicians, vaudeville performers, and stage veterans continued to share stories, friendships, and a lifelong love of the theater. The home became closely associated with legendary theatrical producer Daniel Frohman, who served as president of The Actors Fund and was frequently celebrated for his commitment to caring for aging performers. A 1933 newspaper profile on Frohman highlighted his belief that happiness came through helping others and noted his long involvement with the Fund and its residents. By the mid-twentieth century, the Actors Fund Home had become a cherished institution within the entertainment industry. A 1948 feature in The Boston Sunday Globe described the Englewood residence and its companion facility on Long Island as examples of how performers cared for their own through mutual aid and philanthropy. The article emphasized that the homes were supported largely through benefit performances and donations from members of the theatrical community. Throughout its history, the home welcomed hundreds of notable entertainers. Among its most famous residents were Joseph Sultzer ("Joe Smith") and Charles Marks ("Charlie Dale"), the celebrated vaudeville comedy team <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_and_Dale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smith and Dale</a>. Their decades-long partnership inspired The Sunshine Boys and the earlier Broadway play of the same name by Neil Simon. Smith continued performing and speaking at schools even while living at the Englewood home, preserving the traditions of vaudeville for younger generations. Other residents included former Ziegfeld Follies dancer Marguerite St. Clair, actress Mary Hari, television performer Harriett Sappington, and countless stage actors, musicians, dancers, and technicians whose careers had helped shape American entertainment. Newspaper profiles often noted that while many residents had once appeared on Broadway, in vaudeville theaters, or in early motion pictures, they found companionship at the home among peers who understood the unique experiences of life in show business. The home also benefited from the support of prominent entertainers and philanthropists. In 2003, a major donation from <a href="https://thenytrust.org/news/lillian-booth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lillian Booth</a>, widow of philanthropist Ferris Booth, helped strengthen the institution during a difficult period for nursing facilities. The Englewood campus was subsequently renamed in her honor, becoming the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Booth_Actors_Home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lillian Booth Actors Home</a>. Over the decades, the facility evolved to meet changing needs. The original Green mansion was replaced in 1961 by a modern care facility. Subsequent expansions included the Percy Williams Wing (1975), the Edwin Forrest Wing (1988), the Natalie Schafer Enhanced Care Unit (1993), major renovations in 2009, the Shubert Pavilion rehabilitation center (2017), and the Friedman Pavilion memory-care facility (2019). Today, the Actors Fund Home remains a cornerstone of the Entertainment Community Fund's mission. The 169-bed facility provides rehabilitation services, assisted living, skilled nursing care, and memory care while continuing a tradition that began more than 140 years ago: ensuring that performers and entertainment professionals who spent their lives bringing joy to others have a community that will care for them in return. Richmond Times-Dispatch, Nov. 9, 1947 ("Stage Career in Richmond Recalled by Mary Marble") Boston Sunday Globe, June 13, 1948 ("How Actors Take Care of Their Own With Two Comfortable Houses") Hartford Courant, June 17, 1979 ("Vaudeville Still Flourishes Inside Actors Fund Home") The Record (Bergen County), Feb. 16, 1982 ("Curtain Still Up on Actors' Home") Daily Sentinel, May 20, 2003 ("$2 Million Donation Big Help for Actors' Home in Tough Times") Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Colman, David Ludder, Rachelle Subject The topic of the resource Social Services Movies Theater Elderly Entertainment Housing